2022 Hyundai Santa Cruz Pick-Up Truck: First Official Image Renderings Released
Hyundai Motor Company today released the first official images of their hotly-anticipated Santa Cruz pick up truck!
Set to make its official unveiling on April 15., the 2022 Hyundai Santa Cruz pick up truck appears to be a very muscular looking compact pickup truck that will take on the likes of a well known Honda Ridgeline and the upcoming 2022 Ford Maverick.
The exterior styling of the Santa Cruz pick-up borrows heavily from the concept vehicle, which was first unveiled already in 2015, while the interior is expected to adopt a similar styling layout as seen in the newly launched Hyundai Tucson crossover.
Hyundai has been so far tight lipped about the performance and specs about the Santa Cruz truck, but we have learned that the vehicle sits on a slightly modified Tucson crossover platform.
That means the 2022 Santa Cruz incorporates a unibody platform rather than a more rough and traditional body-on-frame set-up. The later enables pick-up trucks to load more weight in the back and offers larger towing capacities, but provides a less comfortable ride.
Hyundai decided to go with a more refined unibody platform that delivers a more comfortable ride, yet still offers a decent towing capacity. What will that towing capacity be will remain a secret until the Santa Cruz pick-up truck gets officially unveiled.
Official unveiling of the Hyundai Santa Cruz pick-up truck
- Digital World Premiere is set for April 15 – 9:00 AM Pacific Time
Hyundai is all set to officially unveil their first ever pick-up truck. The premiere will be digital, thorugh a video press conference, and will take place in South Korea on April 15. Stay tuned for more news!
2022 Hyundai Santa Cruz US release date
Will the 2022 Hyundai Santa Cruz be available in the United States? Of course, the US market will be one of the main markets where this highly attractive Hyundai pick-up truck will go on sale.
The official sales are expected to commence in the summer this year. First the Santa Cruz will go on sale in South Korea, while later this year, the vehicle will also hit the U.S. soil.
Engine specs & hybrid variant
We have no official details on the available powertrain options on the upcoming Hyundai Santa Cruz, but a close relationship to the new generation Tucson crossover suggests a similar engine range to be available.
We expect the 2022 Santa Cruz to offer a 2,5L 4-cylinder engine coupled to a dual clutch automatic transmission. A diesel variant may be available in some International markets such as Europe and South America, while rumors also suggest a Santa Cruz hybrid may also be launched at some point aftr its inaugural US premiere.
Obviously, the pick-up truck segment is going electric, so a Hyundai Santa Cruz EV may also be unveiled sometime in the future. This is a pure speculation at this point, though!
Vehicles like 2022 Hyundai Santa Cruz
- Honda Ridgeline
- Ford Maverick
- Mazda BT-50
- Chevrolet Colorado
The Santa Cruz is said to be based on a mod version of the unibody chassis that underpins the Hyundai Tucson. I really like its taillight design. I’ve seen a Westin bullbar for Honda Ridgeline at 4WheelOnline so I wonder if aftermarket parts like that would look great on the Santa Cruz. I think these two small-sized pickup trucks will compete to the top sales spot. Ford Maverick has been launched too and it would compete aggressively with Santa Fe, as other articles suggest.
Have been waiting and waiting on the Santa Cruz since I first fell in love with the concept back in 2015. Unfortunately it now looks too feminine for my taste. You lost me on the transition from the hood back along the front door with that triangle design. Not a smooth look. Would have preferred the lines from the rear to continue forward. Just not attracted now to this design coming out. Reminds me of the feminine look of the Honda Ridgeline and Subaru Brat which I never liked. Disappointed after this many years of waiting.
Think I may now shift over to possibly buying the Ford Maverick.
I want one…..two door version. Cranberry Red: Black interior: black inside bed; matching cranberry bed cover.
All wheel drive. This will be my ‘ Sunday car ‘ . ( take trip’s round Texas , ) Park Cruz in the garage. My 2009 Sante Fe will be my ‘ Mon. —–> Sat. car.
The truck is beautiful ( not a ‘ chick looking kind of truck ‘ )
I like these machines: Honda Ridgeline, Ford Maverick, Mazda BT-50, Chevrolet Colorado. Keep on soaring high.